This sure is one strange looking Renault Clio!
The French carmaker has been spied testing what’s believed to be the revived Renault 5 electric hatchback with a Clio mule body, ahead of production starting in 2024.
The most obvious signs that this prototype isn’t truly a Renault Clio are the wider front and rear tracks, tacked-on wheel arch flares, as well as the charging port on the right-hand side of the grille.
Renault 5 prototype
The production Renault 5 was previewed by a concept that was first revealed in early 2021, and inspired by the 1972 original with the shape of the hatchback, rear light signature, and windowline carried over.
Renault confirmed the all-electric city hatchback in September 2021, and at the time said it would make its debut in production form during 2022. It’s unclear if this remains the case.
Seeing this is the first time our spy photographers have captured a mule Renault 5, one might speculate that we won’t see full-body prototypes until next year.
Under the skin, the Renault 5 will make use of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF-BEV electric platform, which is designed for Volkswagen Polo-sized cars (B-segment or light).
The CMF-BEV platform shares bits with the CMF-B platform, which underpins the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke crossovers, and promises to cut the price of new electric cars by one third.
Renault hasn’t revealed details of the electric hatchback’s power and torque, battery size, and range as of yet.
Teased Nissan Micra EV 
Teased Alpine Renault 5 EV 
It’s understood the battery pack will have a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry, and the CMF-BEV platform will offer up to 400km of range according to WLTP testing.
A new Nissan Micra electric city car will also be based on the platform beneath the Renault 5, as will be high-performance Alpine version.
Both of these upcoming electric vehicles (EVs) have been teased, with the Nissan Micra looking bubbly and cute, and the Alpine Renault 5 EV having a large rear wing and rally spotlights at the front.
Renault’s retro revolution won’t end with the upcoming 5. The brand’s electric rollout will include a Renault 4-inspired SUV, that could be called 4ever, which was recently leaked in patent images.
A concept version of the reborn Renault 4 will headline the brand’s presence at this year’s Paris motor show kicking off in October.
Reports have suggested the road-going Renault 4 EV will go into production in 2025.
Renault 4 EV concept patent image
While the roadgoing Renault 4 and 5 EVs remain a few years off, it’s understood both are on the cards for Australia.
“Any new product that’s announced from the EV side, we have our hands up for,” Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey told us in May this year.
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